James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

1Now at that time, Herod the king put forth the hands to mistreat some of those of the church. 2And he put to death James the brother of John with the sword. 3And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also—now these were the days of the Unleavened Bread— 4whom also, having seized, he put in prison, having delivered him to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

The Rescue of Peter

5So indeed Peter was kept in the prison, but fervent prayer was being made to God by the church concerning him.

6And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains, and guards before the door were watching the prison. 7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the cell. And having struck Peter’s side, he woke him up, saying, “Rise up in haste.” And his chains fell off the hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself about, and put on your sandals.” And He did so. And he says to him, “Wrap around you your cloak and follow me.”

9And having gone forth, he was following, and he did not know that what is happening by means of the angel is real, but he was thinking he saw a vision. 10And having passed through a first and a second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them by itself. And having gone out, they went on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11And having come to himself, Peter said, “Now I know truly that the Lord has sent forth His angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

12And having considered it, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is called Mark, where there were many having gathered together and praying. 13And of him having knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14And having recognized Peter’s voice, from joy she did not open the gate, but having run in, she reported Peter to be standing before the gate.

15But they said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting it to be so. And they kept saying, “It is his angel.”

16But Peter continued knocking. And having opened it, they saw him and were amazed. 17And having made a sign to them with the hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and to the brothers.” And having gone out, he went to another place.

18Now day having come, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers what then has become of Peter. 19And Herod having sought after him and not having found him, having examined the guards, commanded them to be led away to death. And having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he stayed there.

The Death of Herod

20Now he had been furiously angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and they came to him with one accord. And having gained Blastus, who was over the bedchamber of the king, they were seeking peace because of their region being nourished by the king’s. 21Now on the appointed day Herod, having put on the royal apparel and having sat on the throne, was making an address to them. 22And the people were crying out, “This is the voice of a god and not of a man!”

23And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him in return for that he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, he breathed his last.

24But the word of God continued to grow and to multiply.

25And Barnabas and Saul returned, having fulfilled the mission to Jerusalem,a having taken with them John the one having been called Mark.